Pancreatic duct system (English)

The main pancreatic duct (of Wirsung) arises from the tail of the pancreas. It extends to the head of the pancreas where it joins the bile duct to form the hepatopancreatic ampulla (ampulla of Vater). It drains into the duodenum at the major duodenal papilla. On its course, the main pancreatic duct receives several tributaries, the small interlobular ducts. The smaller accessory pancreatic duct arises at the head of the pancreas. It communicates with the main pancreatic duct at the neck of the pancreas and empties into the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla.